Regulations
2 fish combined with only 1 over 500mm
Min size: 400/500 mm Bag limit: 2 Method: Fly fishing only Season: 5/8/2023 - 28/4/2024
Penstock Lagoon - Above the two white posts on opposite banks of canals #1 and #2
Closed
Latest stocking
| Date | Number | Species | Age | Weight (g) | Type | Stocked from | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18/04/2024 | 16 | Brown Trout | Adult | 733 | Diploid | Liawenee Canal, yingina/Great Lake | |
| View stocking history... | |||||||
Background
Penstock Lagoon was originally constructed in 1916, as water storage and intake for the now decommissioned Waddamana power station. Throughout its history, Penstock has been a fly fishing water of high repute. The lagoon is no longer used for electricity generation but its water quality and quantity is managed by Hydro Tasmania and the Inland Fisheries Service to ensure the future of the fishery. Penstock Lagoon offers a variety of habitats, from weedy marshes to forested rocky shores. Angling is restricted to fly-fishing only. It has much to offer anglers whether it is fished from the shore or a boat. Water levels are highest in spring but overall do not vary greatly. Much of the lagoon is shallow with some submerged timber and rocks. Boat operators should be wary of these hazards and always observe the 5-knot speed limit. Owing to its small size and popularity, anglers are advised to respect the needs of other users.
Recreational Fish Management
Penstock Lagoon is managed as a Premium Wild Trout Fishery. There are no reliable spawning facilities and only limited natural recruitment. Regular stocking by the Inland Fisheries Service of both brown and rainbow trout maintains populations.
Angling Notes
Early in the season when water levels are high, sight fishing to brown trout in the shallow weedy margins on the western shore provides good fishing. During spring, blind casting around the rocky shores can also be successful as trout are often found chasing small native fish (galaxias) that spawn on the rocks. As the weather warms up, from November onwards, prolific hatches of mayfly and caddis occur and offer good dry fly fishing. Fishing with wet flies while drifting around the lagoon in a boat is productive throughout the season.
There is a landing at the boat ramp to aid anglers launching and boarding boats.
Penstock Lagoon numbers 1 and 2 canals above two white posts on opposite banks of those canals are always closed to fishing.
Protect Waters
Recreational anglers have a responsibility to look after fisheries resources for the benefit of the environment and future generations. Do not bring live or dead fish, fish products, animals or aquatic plants into Tasmania. Do not bring used fishing gear or any other freshwater recreational equipment that may be damp, wet or contain water into Tasmania. Check, clean and dry your fishing equipment. Do not transfer any freshwater fish, frogs, tadpoles, invertebrates or plants between inland waters. When moving between waters check your boat, trailer and waders for weed and other pests that may be transferred. Do not use willow (which is a plant pest) as a rod support as it has the ability to propagate from a strike.
Native Fish Management
A number of native fish species inhabit Penstock Lagoon including the climbing galaxias (Galaxias brevipinnis) and the spotted galaxias (Galaxias truttaceus). The State and Commonwealth listed threatened species, the Great Lake paragalaxias (Paragalaxias eleotroides) and the Shannon paragalaxias (P.dissimilis) are also present. Short-finned eel (Anguilla australis) occur in low numbers.
Environ Cultural
There are four vegetation communities found within the Penstock Lagoon Reserve. Cabbage Gum Woodland (E. puaciflora woodland), E. rodwayi forest and woodland highland grassy sedge-land and highland Poa grassland. Many of the large trees at Penstock have habitat value and their protection is paramount for native animals in the area - Please do not fell trees. Both the grassy communities are Threatened Native Vegetation Communities in Tasmania. Vehicle access is not permitted in these areas. Please keep to formed tracks.
Reminder
An Access easement 10 metres above the full supply level extends around the eastern shore of the lagoon for foot access only. Above the easement is private property.
Keep to formed tracks.
Do not litter - take your rubbish home.
Stay within easement margins.
Do not stray into paddocks with stock.
Respect private land - if in doubt ask permission.
Shooting is prohibited.
Camping only in designated areas.
Firepots only.
Do not cut standing trees.
Recreational Use
Two designated camping areas and one boat ramp exist on the western shore. Campers are encouraged to bring portable toilets or be sure to walk at least 100 metres from the water; dig a 15cm hole and bury waste with the toilet paper. The maximum period for camping or caravans is 14 days.
The Inland Fisheries Service recommends a range of measures aimed at protecting the environmental values of the lagoon and enhancing the angling experience including responsible wading.
It is recommended that wading anglers remain 50m of the shore.
Boating
Penstock Lagoon is very shallow with an average depth of approximately one metre. A number of regulations and recommendations relate to boating on Penstock Lagoon to manage potential impacts including the preferred outboard type and maximum recommended boat size, specifically;
A designated 50m wide boating corridor for petrol powered boats has been established on Penstock Lagoon. This corridor runs in a line from the end of the boating channel at the northern (Boat ramp) end of the lagoon, across to Crisps point on the Eastern side, then down the centre of the lagoon towards the Lily Pond at the southern end.
Boating under petrol power to traverse the lagoon should be within the boating corridor.
The corridor is marked by white buoys in the lagoon. Boats should keep the buoys on their port side at all times and remain within 25 metres of an imaginary line drawn between the buoys.
Boating outside of the corridor should be by electric outboard or manual labour (With the exception of the existing non motorised boating zone in Beginners Bay where manual labour only is permitted).
Anglers using petrol outboard motors on Penstock Lagoon please consider using 4 stroke or low emission 2 stroke motors.
It is recommended that any petrol powered boats used on Penstock Lagoon be 5m or less in length.
A 5 Knot speed limit applies to the whole lagoon including the motorised boating corridor.
Fishing from a boat within 100 metres of an angler fishing from the shore is prohibited unless the boat is securely moored.
Do not park on or obstruct the boat ramp.
Remember
Check your wash - if it's white it's all right - if it's brown slow down. Fishing from a boat within 100 metres of an angler fishing from the shore is prohibited unless the boat is securely moored. Do not park on or obstruct boat ramps.
